Mann mfg



v J. L. KIMBALL PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS Aug. 24, 1926.

Filed July 14, 1922 2 Sneets-$heet FIGTI ATTOKNE Y Aug. 24 1926. 1,597,203

' J. L. KIMBALL PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS 7 Filed July 14. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE N TOE A TTORNE Y Patented 'Aug. 24, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

JAMES LEWIS KIMBALL, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO RUGGLES-KLINGE- MANN MFG. COMPANY, 01 SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- onusnrrs.

PRESSURE-CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application filed July 14, 1922. Serial No. 574,975

My present invention relates to pressurecontrol apparatus and is an improvement upon my copending applications Serial #468,684 of May 11, 1921, and Serial #478,033 of June 16, 1921.

The object of my invention is to provide novel apparatus to effect the following ad-' vantages First: definite cut-off pressure motor.

Second: means whereby the compensating device may be adjusted to effect a greater or less pressure variation between cut-ofl points; and

Third: means for maintaining the equilibrium of the pressure device and valveoperating member while the valve is being shifted from a pressure or effective position to a neutral or non-effective position.

Although the uses of hydraulic operated pressure controllers are numerous and varied, one of the principal applications is the control of air supply to the boiler furnace and for this service it is necessary that the air supply should bear definiterelation to the load on the boiler. Boiler pressure is the most direct and unfailing indication of the relation between the boiler load and the furnace output: with every variation in load, there will be a corresponding variation in pressure, and the air supply,vwhen controlled through the entire pressure range of such load variations, will then be in exact relation to the load requirements. A con trolling device so adjusted that its pressure operating range, between minimum and maximum air supply, shall be in conformity to load variation is, therefore, the first step to successful automatic draft regulation. \Vith such a device, maximum air will be supplied at the load peaks, but not before the peaks are reached.

I attain these objects in a device as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure (1) is a vertical elevation, Figure (2) shows the support or hearing for shaft (25), Fig. (3) shows the compensating attachment which embodies my invention, separated from the machine as a whole, and Figure 4 is a view of a detail.

Referring to the drawings, Figure (1) shows an assembled view of my invention, the same being connected to a damper arm for operating a damper in a boiler flue points "for the fluid chamber l (36). The damper isadapted to be closed by the weight (37) on an upward motion of motor piston (11), a cable or chain ex tending over suitable sheaves (39) and for this purpose. The steam pressure of the boiler is connected at (41). 1

Referring to Figure (1), (1) is a pressure chamber which is closed by a flexible diaphragm (2). A pressure cap (3) is mounted on the atmospheric side of the diaphragm fluid pressure is at (8) and the exhaust at (9), port (10) leads to the bottom of motor cylinder (13), and port (12) leads to the top of motor cylinder (13), above piston (11). Controlling valve (7) has cylindrical portions (14) and (15) which control the admission and exhaust of fluid pressure to and from the motor cylinder (13). .Piston (11) has piston rod (16) extending through the top cap of the motor. A connecting member (17) is secured to the top of piston rod (16) and provides means for operating the damper. A member (18) is pivoted to valve-operating member (4) at point (19) and is arranged to be rocked by member (20) which has a stationary pivoted bearing (21), see Figure (2). A connection (22) is made between the left hand end of members (18) and (20). The opposite end of member (20) is connected to valve operating member (4) by means of a spiral spring (23). Arm (24) is secured to shaft (25) and has a roll (26) at its upper end. The roll (26) is held in engagement with the adjustable step member (27) by spring (23). The adjustable step member is hinged at (28) to member (29). The member (29) has a rod (30) which connects with pistonrod top (17). It will be seen that members (27) and (29) are connected to and travel up and down with the piston (11).

It will be understood that any variation of pressure in the pressure chamber (1) bottom to exhaust.

k above or below a predetermined value will impart motion to the valve-operating memher. As member (18) is pivoted to member (4) 'at point (19). As the right-hand end of this member is connected at (31) with valve oke (32), and as its left hand end is hel stationary, such variations in pressure will operate valve (7) to a pressure position which will admit fluid pressure to the motor cylinder (13). Assuming an increase in pressure in chamber (1), the controlling valve will admit pressure to the under side of piston (11) through port (10),

and at the same time vent the upper side of.

piston (11) to exhaust connection. A decrease in pressure will admit fluid pressure to the top of motor cylinder and vent the It will be understood that the exhaust from top of the motor cylthe piston (11) in a downward direction.

her (27).

One of the objects of this invention being to eliect a stopping of the piston (11 at predetermined points in its travel, I ave arranged a novel adjustable stepped wedge consisting of members (27) and (29), which travels with the motor piston (11) and imparts motion at each step to rock members (18) and (20). This effects a movement of the controlling valve independent of the pressure device. The movement imparted to the operating valve from the movement of piston (11) is always in the direction to return this operating valve to a neutral or non-eflective position at each step on mem- Assuming an increase in pressure in chamber (1), the controlling-valve upper port 10) is o ened to pressure and lower port (12) to ex aust. This results in an upward movement of the piston (11), which motion places roll (26) on a higher stepped position on member (27), which gives the necessary motion to rock members (18) and (20) to'return the valve ('7) to a neutral or non-effective position. In. the same way, on a decrease in pressure in chamber (1), the'lower port (12) is opened to pressure and upper port (10) to exhaust. This results 'in a downward movement of the piston (11) and places roll (26) on a lower ste ped osition, which rocks members tween minimum and maximum air supply to the boiler furnace which would be in conformity to load variations is essential to successful, automatic, draft regulation, and it have arranged to effect a greater or less pressure variation between limits of /travel of piston (11) by adjusting the angularity of members (27) and (29) by means of adjusting screw (34). The efi'ect of increasing the angularity of the step wedge (27) is to retard the movement of the motor piston 11), or, in other words, to produce a wider pressure-operating range acting on diaphragm (2) between the limits of travel of piston (11 It will be seen that if members (27 an (29), which make up the compensating wedge, are so adjusted as to be in a parallel position in relation to one another, the position of the controlling valve (7) will not be changed in the movement of the compensating wedge from a given stepped position to the next succeeding stepped position, and, therefore, no cut-ofi' action could take lace. The controlling valve (7 once move to a pressure position, could not be moved back to a neutral position, and the motor piston (11) would continue to travel from one extreme to the other with very little variation in ressure in chamber 1). A fluctuating loa requiring a wider pressure-operating range between minimum and maximum air supply, it will be seen that the compensating wedge (27) can be adjusted so as to provide a suitable pressureoperating range for varying load variations, the object being to so adjust the compensating wedge that maximum air will not be supplied until the load peak is reached. The proper adjustment Wlll be determined by the step action of the fluid-pressure motor. If the motor piston (11) should travel past one of the stepped positions on compensating wedge (27), it would indicate that the load variations on the boiler were too great for the pressure-operating range between minimumand maximum air and that maximum damper opening was being effected'before the peak load was reached. The screw (34) should then be adjusted to- 've a greater angularity between members 27) and (29), so as to effect a stopping of the piston (11) at each stepped position. The time element is alsoan important factor which calls for adjustment for a greater" pressure-operating range between limits of travel, for if the pressure is increasing or,

decreasing ver rapidly, it will be seen that the valve may e moved so far out of its neutral position that the first step action will not return it entirely to a cut-off position and the piston (11) will continue to travel to the next succeeding step, and so on, to its full stroke, without cut off action. For this reason, it is desirable to adjust for a wider operating range, so as to insure cut-0E action at each stepped position. It has been pointed out that the spring (23) holdsthe h roll (26)v in engagement with the stepped side of member (27) The princlpal object 'of this spring,:however, is to maintain the equilibrium of the pressure device and valveoperating member. while the controlling valve is beingshifted from a pressure or effective position to a neutral or non-effective position. Member (18) being pivoted to the valve operating member (4) any movement from the compensating means imparted at the left-hand end of this member, through connection (22), will have a tendency to depress the valve-operating member downward on an upward movement of the controlling valve, and to raise thismember on a downward movement of the valve. The amount the valve-operating member (4) would normally be thrown out of position would depend upon the friction to be overcome in moving the valve from a pressure to a neutral position. It will be understood that the position and tension of spring (23) can be so adjusted that the rocking of member (20) on bearing (21) will not move the valve-operating member (4) out of balance and will permit the full, stepped movement of the compensatmg arrangement to be transmitted direct to the pressure controlling valve to return said valve to a cut-off position. It will be seen by those" skilled in the art that I have devised novel and useful means for compensating a fluid-pressure motor to effect a stepby-step movement and have arranged a'novel method of adjusting the compensating device to effect air supply to the boiler furnace in conformity to load variation. 7

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now conslder to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and is capable of'various modifications and that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device and a controlling valve for operating the motor, an operating member for said valve, means connecting said valve and said operating member, means co-acting between the first named means and the fluid-pressure motor for shifting the controlling valve from a pressureTto-a cut-off position, and means for adjusting the secondnamed means to effect a greateror less pressure variation acting on the pressure device for a given movement of the fluid pressure motor.

2. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device and a controlling ling valve for operating the motor,

valve for operating the motor, said valve aving a neutral position in which it is not effective and two effective positions for op.- erating the fluid-pressure motor,'an operating member for said valve, means connect ing said valve with the Ope-rating'member for moving the valve? to either of'its effective positions, means connecting'said valve with the fluid-pressure motor for returning said valve to a neutral position irrespective of the operation of the operating member, and means for adjusting said second-named connection-to effect a greater or less pressure variation acting on the pressure device between the limits of movement of the fluid pressure motor. V

3. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device'and a controlling valve for operating the motor, an operating member for said valve, means connecting said valve and said operating member, and means co-acting between the 'first named means and the fluid-pressure motor for shifting the controlling valve from a pressure to a cut-off position irrespective of the operation of the operating member atpredetermine-d points in the movement of the fluidpressure motor.

4. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device and a controlling valve for operating the motor, an operating member movable to different degrees to operate said valve, compensating means be tween said' valve and said fluid-pressure motor for limiting the operation of said motor to a degree corresponding to the degree of operation of said operating member, means co-acting between the compensating means and the operating member for. maintaining the equilibrium of the pressure device, and means for adjusting said compensating means to effect. a greater or less pressure variation acting on the pressure device for a given movement of the fluid-pressure motor.

5. The combination with a fluid-pressure valve for. operating the motor, an operating member for said valve, means connecting said valve and said opera-tlng member, means co-acting between the first-named means and the fluid-pressure motor for shifting the controlling valve from a pressure to a cut-off position irrespective of the operation of the operating member at predetermined points in the movement of the fluid-pressure motor, and means for adjustingjthe second-named means to effect a greater or less pressure variation acting'on the pressure device for a given movement of the fluid-pressure motor.

6. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device and a\ controlan operating member for said valve, means connecting said valve and said operating member, meansco-acting between the first named means and the fluid-pressure motor for shifting the controlling valve from a pressure to a neutral position, means connecting the second-named means and the operating member to maintain a balanced condition of the operating member while said valve is being shifted, and means for adjusting the secondnamed meansto efiect a greater or less pressure variation acting on the pressure device for a given movement of the fluid pressure motor.

7. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device and a controlling valve-for operating the motor, an operating member for said valve, means connecting said valve and said operating member,

motor, of a pressure device and a control:

ling valve for operating the-motor, an operating member for sa1d valve, connections between said valve and said operating member including a member pivoted to said operating member and arranged to be rocked by a vsecond .member which has a stationary pivoted bearing, compensating means operated from the fluid-pressure motor'to rock the last-named member at predetermined points of the motor travel to eflect the stopping of said motor, means co-acting between said last-named member and the valve-operating member for effecting a counter-acting force to the pressure device in the opposite direction to the force exerted on the pressure device by the compensating means, and

means for adjusting the compensating means 7 to efl'ect-a greater orless pressure variation of the pressure acting on the pressure devlce between the effective and the non-effective position of the controlling valve. 6

9. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor having a movable member, of a pres sure device and-a controlling valve for said motor, said controlling valve having a neutral position in which the motor is not eifective and two elfective positions for operating the motor, said motor having an adjustable wedge connected with its movable member,

- an arm, the. adjustable wedge having steps arranged to engage the arm for shifting the controlling ,valveto a neutral or nomefiective position, independent of the action of-the ber.

pressure device, at each stepped positionon said wedge, and means operated by said arm to maintain a balanced condition of the pressure device while said valve is being shifted.

10. The combination with a fluid-pressiire motor, of a pressure controlling valvetherefor, an operating lever for said valve, con nections between said operating lever and said valve including av member pivoted to said operating lever, a second pivoted member having a stationary pivoted bearing and spring co-acting between said second member and the operating lever, and means including an adjustable wedge for actuating said .valve through said connections by the movement of the fluid-pressure motor independently of said operating lever.

11. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a pressure device and a controlling valve for operating said motor, said controlarranged to rock thefirst-named member, a

ling valve having a neutral position in which 5 it is not effective and two eflectivepositions for operating the motor, an operating member for said valve, mechanical connections between said valve and. said member includingv a member pivoted to the valve-operating 1 member and arranged to be rocked on its-fulcrum by a second member which has a statiouary pivoted bearing, an arm for rocking the second-named member at predetermined points in the travel of said motor for returning the operating valve to a neutral position, and means including a spring co-acting between the second-named member and the valve operating member for maintaining the valve-operating member in a balanced condition while said arms are being rocked.

12. In a fluid system, means for controlling the fluid in the system, an operating condition of-the fluid in, the system for controlling the fluid-controlling means, a cam controlled by the fluid controlling means,- and means controlled by the cam for controlling the fluid-controlling means irrespec tiveof theoperation of the operating mem- 13. In a fluid system, a motor for controlling the fluidin the system, a pressure-responsive device "controlled in accordance with the condition of the fluid in the system,

- an operating member controlled by the pres- ,sure-responsive device for controlling the motor, acam controlled by the motor, means controlled by the cam for controlling the motor irrespective: of the operation of the operating'member, .the cam having means for accentuating the operation of the motor,

and means for reacting on the pressure-responsive device to change the setting of the pressure-responsive device.- 1 I 14. In a fluid system, a motor for controlling-thefluid in the system, an element for controllingthe motor, an operating member member controlled'in accordance with theconnected to the element, a pressure-responsive device controlled in accordance with the condition of the fluid in the system and connected to the operating member for efl'ecting the operation of the element, a stepped compensating wedge connected to the motor, a lever adapted to be engaged by the steps of the wedge, a spring for counteracting the force exerted by the pressure-responsive device connected to the lever and to the operating member, and means connecting the lever to the element to effect the operation of the element irrespective of the operation of the operating member.

15. In combination, a motor, two elements having a relative neutral position in which they are'ineflective and a relative efl'ective position in which they control the operation of the motor, a beam having a pivot, a floating lever intermediately pivoted to the beam about the pivot, compensating means,

1 a link connecting the lever with the elements for controlling the motor, a scale beam for controlling the valve, a diaphragm controlled in accordance with the said pressure and connected to the scale beam for effecting the operation of the valve, a, compensating wedge pivoted at one end of the motor and having multiple steps, and a member in contact with the stepped sideof the said wedge for effecting the operationof the said valve by the said motor independently of the said diaphragm. v v

17. In a pressure system, means to con- I trol the pressure in the system, motive means effective independent of the operation of the for operating the controlling means, a controlling element for operating the moti e means, a pressure-sensitive device connected to the pressure system for actuating the controlling element, a cut-ofl member having multiple steps operated by the motive means for rendering the controlling element inpressure-sensitive device at each stepped position in the operation of the motive means, and adjustable means for effecting a greater or less pressure variation acting on the pres sure-sensitive device between the limits of operation of the motive means.

i 18. In a fluid system, means for controlling the condition of the fluid in the system, two elements having a relative neutral position in'which they are ineffective and a rela tive effective position in Whichthey control the operation of the controlling means, a floating lever, means responsive to variations in the condition of the fluid in the system and connected with the floating" lever and the elements for relatively actuating the elements through the floating lever to the relative efl'ective position and means controlled by the first-11anied means and connected; with thefloating lever and the elements for relatively returning the elements to th'z'relative neutral position at predetermined pomts n the operation'of the first- -.named, means.

19. In a fluidsystem, a motor for controlling the condition of .the fluid in the system, two elements having a relative neutral position in which they are ineffective and a relative effective position in which they control the operation of the motor, a floating lever, means responsive to variations in the condition of the fluid in the system and connected with the floating lever and the elements for relatively actuating the elements through the floating lever to the'relative effective pos'tion, and means for abruptly returning the elements to the relative neutral position at predetermined. points in the operation of the motor to abruptly stop the motor at the predetermined points, the motor being adapted to operate freely between the predetermmed points.

20. In a fluid system, a motor for controL ling the condition of the fluid in the system, two elements having a relative neutral-position in which they are inellective and a relative effective position in which they control the operation of the motor, a beam, means responsive to variationsin the condition of the fluid in the system for actuating the beam, a floating lever, means connecting the lever with the elements and" with the'beam. whereby the beam is adapted when actuated to relatively actuate the elements through the lever to the relative effective position,

and means controlled by the motor and connected with the lever and the beam for relatively actuating the elements and the beam to relatively return the elements to the relative neutral position at predetermined points in the operation of the motor.

21. In a pressure system, a motor for controlling the pressure in the system, two elements having a relative neutral position in which they are ineffective and a relative effective position in which they control the operation of the motor, a device responsive to variations in the pressure of the system, a lever having three pivotal points, means connecting one of the pivotal points with the device, means connecting a second of the pivotal points with the elements, whereby the device is adapted to relatively actuate the elements to the relative efl'ective position;

and means controlled by the motor connected with the third of the pivotal points and the device for relatively actuating the elements and the device to-rclatively return the elements to the relative neutral position at predetermined points in the operation of the motor.

22. In a pressure system, a motor for controlling the pressure in the system, two elc' ments having a relative neutral position in which they are inell'cctive and a relative ettective position in which they control the operation of the motor, a device responsive to variations in the pressure of the system, a lever having three pivotal points, means connecting one of the pivotal points with the device, n'ieans connecting a second of the pivotal points with the elements, whereby the device is adapted to relatively actuate the elements to the relative etl'er'tive position, means controlled by the motor connected with the third of the pivotal points and the lever for relatively actuating the elements and the device to the relative neutral position at predetermined points in the operation of the motor, and means for rendering the said device inett'ective to relatively actuate the elements in response to predetermined changes in the pressure of the system at each of the said predetermined positions.

23. In a pressure system, a motor for controlling the pressure inthe system, two elements having a relative neutral position in which they are ineffective and a relative ctt'ective position in which they control the operation of the motor, a device responsive to variations in the pressure of the system, a lever having three pivotal points,means connecting one of the pivotal points with the device, means connecting a second of the pivotal points with the elements, whereby the device is adapted to relatively actuate the elements to the relative efiective posi: tion, and means controlled by the motor connected with the third of the pivotal points and the device for relatively actuating the elements and the device to relatively return the elements to the relative neutral position at predetermined points in the operation of the motor, the last-named means comprising a spring connected between the device and the motor.

24. In a pressure system, a fluid-pressure motor for controlling the ressure in the system, a valve for controlling the motor, the valve having a valve-stem having a neutral position in which it is ineffective and two relative effective positions in which it controls the operation of the motor in opposite directions, a beam controlled in accordance with the pressure in the system, a lever having three pivotal points, means connecting one of the pivotal points with the beam, mean connecting a second of the pivotal points with the stem, whereby the beam is adapted to actuate the stem to one or the other effective position in response to a variation in pressure, and means controlled by the motor connected with the third of the pivotal points and the beam for returning the stem to the neutral position at predetermined points -in the operation of the motor, the lastnamed means comprising a spring connected between the beam and the motor.

25. In a pressure system, a motor for controlling the pressure in the system, two elements having a relative neutral positionin which they are ineitective and two relative effective positions in which they control the operation of the motor in opposite directions, a device responsive to variations 1n the pressure of the system, a lever having three pivotal points, means connecting one of the pivotal points with the device,means connecting a second of the pivotal points with the elements, whereby the device is adapted to relatively actuate t e elements through the lever to one or the other efiective position in accordance with the variations in the pressure in the system, means controlled by the motor connected with the third otthe pivotal points and the device for relatively actuating the elements and the device to relatively return the elements to the relatlve neutral position, the last-named means comprising a spring connected between the device and the motor, and means for ensuring a predetermined degree of operation of the motor before the motor is stopped.

JAMES LEWIS KIMBALL, 

